Google is well-known for its anti-censorship stance. And, this policy applies when it comes to Google’s search results.

However, in the case of its newly-released Google Instant search function, as well as its long-standing auto-complete feature, the search giant actually does censor certain keywords from showing up in these “instant search results” situations. They do this to protect children and others in order to protect them from viewing instant search results that many might find offensive.

Of course, if you want to search via Google for sites containing these blacklisted words, you can do so; you just have to hit the “Search” button in order to view the results.

I 100% support Google’s blacklisting of certain keywords from Google Instant and auto-complete features. Yet, the notion that they do so highlights the fact that nothing ever can be truly censorship free – even in Internetland. This situation highlights the ongoing balance that Netizens and purveyors of online content alike must constantly strive to strike between the ideal of total freedom and the reality that some things just aren’t fit to print in some contexts.

FYI: for a complete list of Google’s blacklisted words, click here.